Good medium ruby. Boysenberry, currant, graphite, mocha, underbrush and roast coffee on the nose, along with sexy smoky oak. Lush, sweet and vinous, with complex, explosive dark berry flavors and impressive density for the year. Plump and pliant. Finishes with broad, lightly dusty tannins and excellent length. In comparison to this, the 2001 is drier and tighter, even allowing for the difference in age between the two vintages.

The 1999 is a classic Ch. Palmer, dark purple in the glass, with notes of smoke and licorice. This Margaux is big with plenty of structure to last. 48%Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot make the blend.

Rating: (90-93) - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 128 on Apr-00